Amphibian populations are being adversely affected by a number of factors, notably Chitrid fungus infections, climate change, chemical contamination and increased ultraviolet radiation. Your day to day actions can affect the survival of these sensitive species. Here is how you can help:

Ways to Help Frogs

1. Look, listen and learn: educate yourself and your family about amphibians.With more than 6,000 frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and caecilians worldwide, there's a lot to learn. Pick up a book, hop around the internet, or watch your favorite animal television show to educate yourself and your family about amphibians.

2. Visit an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution near you and experience your very own amphibian adventure!

3. Create amphibian friendly environments by providing clean water, hiding places, and insects to eat.Prime amphibian real estate includes leaf litter, rocks, logs, and a source of water — backyard ponds make a great family project!

4. Don't pollute.Do your part to keep garbage, chemicals, and non-native plants and animals out of the natural environment. Amphibians absorb harmful chemicals through their skin.

5. Be a responsible pet owner.Discourage your canine and feline family members from pestering wildlife, especially amphibians and birds. If you or your pet encounter an amphibian, study, look, listen, and then leave it where it is.

6. Conserve water at home, school and work.Save water by using collected rainwater for watering gardens and potted plants.

8. Be an amphibian champion. Donate to wildlife conservation programs, such as the AZA Conservation Endowment Fund. Be aware of legislation affecting wildlife and their habitat, global warming, and land use and development issues.

What is a Frog Anyway?

Frogs, salamanders and caecilians are modern amphibian. These part-time land animals have no hair or scales covering their skin and most lay eggs in water.

FrogsFrogs are the only amphibians without tails—they also lack necks. Most have short bodies, bulging eyes, and powerful legs. Frogs are the most successful amphibians by far. There are over 4,000 known species of frogs living on every continent except Antarctica!

CaeciliansCaecilians are legless amphibians that live underground or in water. With just over 160 species known, this is the smallest group of amphibians. Little is known about their secretive lives.

SalamandersSalamanders have short legs, lanky bodies, and long tails. Over 400 species live mostly in the temperate zone. Many salamanders are small, but the group includes the largest of all amphibians—the five-foot Chinese giant salamander.

Fun Frog Facts!

Frogs have very special skin! They don’t just wear it they drink and breathe through it.

Frogs shed their skin regularly to keep it healthy. Some frogs shed their skin weekly, others as often as every day! This looks pretty yucky…the frog pulls the skin off over its head like a sweater, and then eats it!!!!

A frogs tongue is typically about a third of the length of the frog—as if our own tongue reached our belly button!

Did you know: When a frog swallows a meal, his bulgy eyeballs will close and go down into his head! This is because the eyeballs apply pressure and actually push a frog’s meal down his throat! GULP.

The largest frog is the Goliath frog of West Africa. It’s the size of a squashed soccer ball and weighs about the same as a house cat.

Frogs are carnivores. They eat bugs, spiders, worms, and fish. Some big frogs can even eat a mouse!